"That is true," Mara answered distractedly, puzzled by Runor's acceptance of Durak. Her mother had been very suspicious of strangers since the Leader had come, but she had accepted Durak right away.

She glanced at Rofina, who was still watching Durak. She had made no move to go close to him again, but the expression on her face was different. Stubbornness, Mara realized, astonished. Rofina looks stubborn! What might that mean?

Durak came up to Rofina and touched her lightly on the shoulder. "Perhaps one day we will find flowers together," he said quietly. He nodded politely to Mara and walked away.

Rofina sighed, a long sigh that seemed to come from a place deep inside her. "Perhaps one day," she repeated, and picked up the pestle again. This time, she tired quickly.

"I must go back to the Leader," she told Mara. Without waiting for an answer, she walked quickly across the clearing and into the trees.

Rofina's steps slowed when she was out of sight of the hut. The idea of picking flowers had appealed to her and she wanted to do it. Beyond this grove of trees there was a big field of flowers. Her pace picked up again and she walked eagerly into the field. All her attention was absorbed by the multi-colored blossoms, and she did not think of the young man again until he appeared unexpectedly in front of her. He did not speak, only looked at her gravely. Rofina returned the look. Many moments passed while they stood motionless, searching each other's faces. Rofina felt something move inside her, and her eyes widened in surprise.

"You are Durak," she said finally. The feeling inside her grew stronger. She thought she liked it but she was not sure.

Durak reached out and caressed her arm with gentle fingers. The strength of his feelings astonished him. Never before had he felt so drawn to a woman, even before he knew her. It was as if Rofina was already a part of him, or he was a part of her, and now they must never come apart. His mind knew the thought made little sense, but his heart paid no attention. Her eyes drew him in, and the scent of her skin; everything about her was perfect, was all he wanted. Leaning down, he kissed her soft cheek gently.

Rofina smiled then, a wide smile filled with certainty. This was a good feeling; it could not be otherwise. Delight suddenly transformed her features. Grabbing Durak's hand, she began to run, light and swift as a gazelle, through the fragrant flowers. Durak followed, entranced. Around and around they ran, laughing, clinging to each other, until finally they collapsed in a small hollow, gasping for breath. The tall flowers hid them, sheltered them.

For a long time, they lay still, their bodies touching from shoulder to foot, separated only by the soft linen garments they wore in the summer. Durak raised himself on one elbow and looked down into Rofina's face.

"I care very much for you already, Rofina," he told her. "Never have I cared for a woman in this way before." He stroked her face with tender fingers.

Rofina looked startled. "I have not cared for a long time," she said. "I had forgotten."

"Why is that?" Durak asked, puzzled by her words.

Rofina's face was suddenly suffused with torment as a memory came rushing back. Closing her eyes tightly, she pushed it away. "I do not know," she said helplessly, and he saw tears forcing their way under her closed lids.

"It does not matter," he soothed her. "But if anything pains you, you must come to me. Remember that, Rofina. If ever anything pains you, you must always come to me." He pulled her stiff body gently against him.

"I will remember," she promised, holding him tightly. "I will remember."

Durak did not speak again, only held her until he felt the tension leave her body. Slowly, gently, he began to stroke her back, her smooth arms and shoulders. Desire built inside him but he ignored it. Rofina was too fragile for Akat. He knew that intuitively. But one day...

A rustling sound aroused him. Was someone coming? He lay perfectly still. Fear made his heart pound, but Rofina did not seem disturbed. She was almost asleep, he saw, and her face was filled with contentment. His heart beat still faster at the sight. Already, Rofina was dearer to him than life itself, and he wondered anew how such a thing could happen in such a short time.

The rustling stopped and he dared to raise his head. A deer bounded away, and he relaxed. Still, he must not keep her here any longer, lest her absence be noted. As Mara had warned, the Leader would not like her to be alone with him. To think that harm might come to Rofina because of him was unbearable.

He roused her gently. "You must go back now," he told her. "The Leader may be looking for you."

She smiled up at him, unafraid. "I do not think he will mind," she answered gently. "I have been happy here, and he likes me to be happy."

"Perhaps, but still I think we must leave each other now," Durak said, wondering at her innocence. "Others may look for you, too." His thoughts were on Korg, who seemed to see everything, but he did not say the name to Rofina lest he alarm her.

He stood slowly, scanning the field and the woods beyond for faces, but no one was there. They had been lucky. Rofina sighed as he helped her to her feet. "I do not like Korg," she remarked abruptly, as if she had heard his thoughts. "The Leader says he watches me for my safety, but I still do not like him." There was no alarm in her voice, only resignation.

"I do not think he is a good man," Durak answered. "You must be careful not to anger him, Rofina."

Her answer surprised him. "He cares for me," she said slowly. "I do not think he would harm me."

"He cares for you?"

Rofina did not answer, only smiled at him and took his hand as they walked back across the field. The gesture felt familiar to Durak, as if all their lives they had been joined in this way.

When they reached the woods, they separated. Durak's heart contracted with pain as Rofina walked away. Rofina belonged with him now; he knew she did, and to part from her was terrible. He turned away, unable to watch her disappear from view, and forced himself to walk in the opposite direction.

Rofina walked until he turned, then she slid behind a tree and watched him. With each step she saw him take, some of the feeling she had liked so much drained out of her. By the time he disappeared, there was nothing left inside her at all, nothing to hold her up or give her strength. Exhaustion took possession of her. She stumbled through the woods into the Leader's hut and fell onto the pallet that had been placed in one corner for her to use. Within moments, she was asleep.

A short time later, the Leader entered the hut. He stared down at Rofina's still form. She looked different, older somehow, he thought. That was a good sign. Soon, perhaps, he would be able to approach her. He longed for her, had always longed for her, but he did not want to force her. Rofina was special, one who had been touched by the Great Spirit, and he must be patient. Still, he did not think it would be wise to wait much longer. A woman could not remain a child forever.

He watched her lips curve into a slight smile as she slept and felt a pulse of desire that almost made him gasp. What would happen if he took her into his arms? Would she be afraid? He did not think so. She trusted him, and there was a languorous quality to her now that he had not seen before, as if she was finally becoming aware that she was a woman.

He was about to lie down beside her when Korg entered the hut. The Leader sighed. There were times when he wished Korg was not quite so attentive. Still, he must never forget how important Korg was to him. Without Korg, the tribe could not function in the way the Great Spirit wished; without Korg, he sometimes thought the Great Spirit might not come to him at all.

Korg's voice interrupted his thoughts. 'she is weary," he said dryly. 'she has been picking flowers in the fields."

His eyes raked the hut. "It is strange that she did not bring them with her," he added as he turned and left.

The Leader frowned. What did Korg mean? The question left his mind as Rofina slowly stretched out a hand, as if searching for something in her sleep. The gesture was sensual, enticing. Perhaps he should try after all. Impulsively, he knelt, ready to stretch himself out beside her, but Rofina suddenly moved again. This time, she pulled her body into a tight, defensive ball, and he knew the moment was lost.

Another moment will come, he assured himself as he rose reluctantly to his feet. He would make sure it came, for Rofina's sake even more than his own. For her to make the transition from child to woman was essential, and he was the one was best suited to help her in that process. He had helped many young women before her, and they had always been grateful. Rofina would be grateful too; of that he was certain. He smiled down at her and moved away, leaving her to her sleep.

CHAPTER SIX.

The owl's hoot came sooner than Zena had expected, not long after dusk. She slid out of the hut and stood perfectly still until her eyes adjusted to the darkness. Carefully, she scanned the area, seeking movement, even the faint glint of skin or eyes. There was nothing. She took two small steps and waited again. No one must see her, the young woman had said. To be sure no one did, she had darkened her pale skin with soot from the fire. The moon had not yet risen either, which also helped. Perhaps that was why the owl had called so soon. Later, the moon might come.

She moved further along a route she had memorized earlier, toward the nearest bushes. She had even cleared the way so no twigs or branches would snap underfoot and give her away. Again, she stopped and stared into the gloom; then she ducked into the bushes. There she waited for what seemed a very long time. Lief watched nearby, but she never knew he was there.

Should she wait any longer? The owl had not called again; perhaps it had been a real owl, not her signal. Before she could move, a figure materialized beside her and a hand gripped her elbow. There was no sound, only the firm pressure that urged her out the other side of the bushes, then along what felt like a track. There were no obstacles, and she and her companion moved in complete silence. After a while, the hand pushed her to the right, and now the way was rougher, through trees. She could not really see them, but she could feel them pressing all around her. Without the guiding hand, she was certain she would have bumped into them.

And then suddenly the trees were gone. She must be in a clearing. It had a soft ground cover that muffled the sound of their feet. Zena felt movement near her face. "Wait," a voice whispered, directly into her ear.

Again, she waited, an even longer time, though it did not seem so long now that she knew something would happen.

Another form materialized beside her. She knew immediately that this was not the same person, though at first she was not sure why. Then she realized - the smell was different. On the first person there had been a faint suggestion of baby, of milk. On this one, there was not. Was it Mara? Or was someone else out here?

A hand clasped hers, and she had no choice but to follow, back into the trees. They were denser now, so thick that the person ahead had to weave between them. This time, however, they did not go far. Zena sensed rather than saw something solid in front of her, and then the guiding hand drew her into a shelter of some kind. A heavy cloth dropped over the entrance, and she heard a scraping sound.

A voice came, so low Zena had to strain to hear. "We will be safe here. Even Korg does not come to this place." A moment later, there was light, and she saw Mara. The relief was indescribable, and Zena heard the breath go out of her chest with a small whoosh. She had not realized how tense she had been, not knowing.

"First, you must tell me... the little one, how is he? Is he all right?" Mara's voice shook with intensity, and her eyes were dark with anxiety.

"He is fine," Zena answered quickly. "He is healthy and happy and he has many mothers to feed him and guide him. He tries already to crawl and to stand."

"We call him Mara-sun," she added, 'so we do not forget."

Tears came into Mara's eyes; they glimmered in the dim light. "That is good," she said brokenly. "One day... one day, I will be his mother again. Except first you must help..."

"Tell me what I can do," Zena replied eagerly.

A deep sigh came from Mara. "There is so much," she said in a rush, "so much to relate. You know already a little of the Leader and what he says. You must learn more, for you are the only one who can stop him, stop Korg. The people will listen to no other, only to one called Zena. Once, long ago, before the men from the north came, many of the tribes in this area were Mother People. Some of us secretly returned to Her ways after the violence stopped. We were one of these. Then the Leader came, and he has changed us all again. You must undo what he has done. He does not even mean harm but good, and that is why it is so hard not to believe him, why it is so easy for him to change people. Even I once believed..."

She broke off but continued quickly. Her voice was urgent. "I must say the most important part first. There may not be much time. I think no one comes here - this is the place where the women come during their time of bleeding. The men are not supposed to come here, but Korg has eyes and ears everywhere.

"There is a village near this one," she went on hurriedly, "a few hours across the ridge to the west. An infant will soon be born there, an infant they say was fathered by the Great Spirit. You must save it; the mother cannot. She will not understand until it is too late, or she will be too afraid. They make certain of that."

"Understand what?" Zena was bewildered.

"Understand that they will take it." Seeing that Zena still did not understand, Mara pushed out another word. "Sacrifice," she said with terrible emphasis. "The baby will be killed, sacrificed to the Great Spirit on the altar."

Horror rocked Zena. So that was the meaning of the word. No wonder it had made her afraid. But how was it possible for anyone to kill an innocent child?

"Only that will placate the Great Spirit, they tell us," Mara explained patiently, seeing her confusion. "Unless we return the child the Great Spirit will be angry and then the horrors will come again the ice, the violence....But you know this, you heard the Leader's warnings -"

She broke off again and when she resumed her voice was bitter. "It is for the Goddess too, they tell us, who brings death as well as life. That is how they change the Mother People. They tell us we have never understood before that we must give Her what She demands if we are to forestall the disasters that befell our ancestors."

"But that is horrible! How could anyone think such things of the Mother?" The words burst from Zena before she could stop them.

Mara shook her head in despair. "I do not know. I know only that we must stop it. You must stop it."

"Is that what would have happened to you?" Zena whispered, aghast. "Would they have taken Mara-sun?"

Mara nodded grimly. "The Great Spirit came to me, and to my sister before me. Her baby is gone; mine was saved because of you. If you had not come and taken the little one, I do not know what I would have done. I could not hide forever. They would have come to look for me if I had not returned, but I dared not bring the baby."

She stopped abruptly and moved closer to Zena. "The Goddess has sent you to us; I am certain it is so," she said forcefully. "She sent you to help us, not just myself but to help all the Mother People. That is why you are here.

"The people will not listen to any other, only the one called Zena," she said again insistently. "Only you can help us."

Zena looked up at her trusting face and felt the familiar apprehension fill her. How could she alone stop the Leader, stop Korg, stop this terrible sacrifice?

You are not alone. The words came unbidden into her mind, and she felt her sister's soothing presence. There is much you need to know, the inner voice continued, and you had better ask now, while Mara is here.

Zena's panic subsided. As always, her sister was prompting her to deal with practical issues first. The rest would follow.

She took a deep breath. "If I am to help, I must understand more about this Great Spirit," she said carefully. "First, how is it possible for a spirit to father an infant?"

Again, Mara shook her head. "I do not know. I know only that the Great Spirit came to me, but I thought it did to me what any man does to make a child. Still, I do not think it could have been a man."

"Why was it not a man?"

"No man could be covered with fur as it was, or be so large, and the face was not a man's but an animal's, with a muzzle. It had claws, too. And yet... And yet I thought, just for an instant, that I saw a man's face, a man's face that was also an animal's face."

She looked at Zena with anguished eyes. "I do not know how that can be," she finished helplessly.

"I do not either, but I intend to find out," Zena answered, and was surprised by the determination in her voice. "You must tell me everything you can remember."

"I cannot remember much because I was given a strong potion," Mara began apologetically, "only that the creature was huge, much bigger than any man could be." She gestured with her hands to indicate the creature's enormous width and height. "It was covered with fur all over except for the face I thought I saw for a moment, but that was also dark, but then it became an animal's face again. Its arms and paws were covered with fur too. More than that, I do not remember. The potion I was given made me sleep - or perhaps it made me see what was not there," she added thoughtfully.

"Has this happened many times, that the Great Spirit has come to a woman?" Zena asked.

"I have heard people in other tribes speak of it, but I do not know how many. The Leader travels to many places."

And so would she, Zena thought with stubborn intensity.

The sudden noise of a twig snapping made them both jump. Instantly, Mara extinguished the light. For a time, there was no further noise; then they heard shuffling footsteps, as if a large creature was moving through the brush under the trees. Possibly it was a bear, Zena speculated, though she was not sure bears lived in these high mountains. More likely it was a moose or large elk. Moving cautiously, she poked her head out from beneath the heavy cover that blocked the entrance.

The sound came again, and then the creature, whatever it was, came so close she could smell its rankness. She could see only a large dark shape and decided it must be a bear that had reared up on its hind legs, since it was also very tall. A moment later she thought it had dropped onto all fours, though it was hard to tell in the darkness. The shape disappeared into the trees.

There were no more noises, but for a long time Zena and Mara dared not move, lest the creature be there still. Mara especially was terrified, though she tried not to show her fear. The noises had forced her to remember that terrible night and despite her effort to be sensible she began to shiver uncontrollably. Understanding her terror, Zena put a comforting arm around her shoulders.

Lief, hidden nearby in the trees, waited too. Though his eyes were well adapted to darkness, even he had been unable to identify the beast. He had not been able to hear the conversation, either, but he felt fear emanating from the hut. He would watch them with great care when they left.

Finally Mara broke the silence. "We must go back," she whispered. "I dare not speak more. Someone could be watching. Take my hand and follow."

Zena felt in the darkness for Mara's hand and gripped it, trying to instill in the grip a bravery she did not feel. Holding tightly to each other, they crept out of the shelter and into the thick trees. There was no sound save for their own breathing, and they saw no movement anywhere except for the slow progress of their tense bodies.

"It is better to separate now," Mara whispered when they were close to the clearing. "You know your way from here?"

"I know," Zena answered. "I came this way."

Mara drew Zena behind a concealing tree. "Good-bye, my great friend," she said, looking into Zena's darkened face. "Take good care of my little one. And remember all I have told you. It might not be possible for us to speak again, but I will be watching and will help you if I can."

Impulsively, Zena reached out to hug Mara. "We will speak again many times," she promised, with a confidence she was not entirely sure she felt. "I will remember all you have said, and will do my best to save this child. And do not fear. One day, you will be with Mara-Sun again."

Mara nodded. "I am certain it is so. Now I have hope; before there was none."

Someone coughed in the darkness, and they separated quickly. Zena watched Mara glide silently away and wished she could ask more questions. There was so much she still needed to know. Where had the Leader come from, and Korg? How long ago had Mara's people begun to follow the Leader's ways, and what did she think the creature they had heard could be? And who was the sister who had lost her child?

The answer to that question came the next day, when she told Durak what she had learned from Mara.

"Rofina!" he exclaimed, when Zena spoke of the child who had been taken from Mara's sister. "Rofina is the sister of Mara. So that is what happened to her." His face twisted in anguish as he thought of the suffering she must have endured.

He told Zena of their meeting, of his strong feeling that he and Rofina belonged together. Zena was unsure what to say. She had never known Durak to react so intensely to a woman, and she believed him, but at the same time she was afraid for Rofina, who had already suffered so much. Still, Rofina clearly needed help, and Durak might be able to provide it.

Sorlin joined them and Mara's story was repeated in whispers. Later, when Hular and Lief came into the hut, Zena confided in them as well. She was worried about entrusting the information to so many, but if she was to fulfill her promise to Mara, she would need their help.

"Do not speak of this aloud," she warned them. "The people here must not know why I have come, or what I hope to do with your help.

All of them promised caution, but Zena's warning had come too late. The next day, they all noticed that people looked away from them instead of calling out a friendly greeting as they had before.

"They must have heard us call you Zena, and they know that name," Sorlin reported, and described a disturbing conversation she had overheard among the villagers. "One woman said that Mara and her mother cause nothing but trouble, and that the woman called Zena and the people with her would also cause trouble. The others agreed. They said that to hear the name Zena made people think of the old ways, and that was not good because the old ways had gone and they did not want to think of them any more.

"Then a man said the Leader knew what was best for them," Sorlin continued. "He sounded very certain, and they all agreed."